LASIK Eye Surgery and where to have it in Cebu

In some major roads in Cebu, you see billboards that show these words "LASIK".

LASIK stands for laser-assisted-in-situ keratomileusis, the most common type of refractive surgery that changes the shape of your cornea with the aim of producing a clearer, sharper vision without glasses or contact lenses by enabling light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina.

It is an option for people with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia. Of course, your ophthalmologist will screen you first if LASIK surgery is really for you considering factors such as other health conditions that you may have. Like any surgery, there may also be potential risks and complications or side effects but they can be avoided or resolved in most cases.

The eye surgeon makes use of tools like a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser to make a thin flap in the cornea. The hinged flap is folded to access the underlying cornea. A portion of corneal tissue is then removed with the use of an excimer laser, a highly-specialized laser.

After the cornea is reshaped, the flap is then laid back in place.

In Cebu, there are several facilities that offer LASIK surgery with each one of them highlighting the tools or equipment that they have. Below are the ones connected to the major hospitals.

1. Centre for Sight - found at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, Osmena Blvd., Cebu City tel no. 2542020/ 412-2020
2. ACES Eye Referral Clinics found at Perpetual Succour Hospital Cebu, SPC Specialty Bldg.. Gorordo Ave., Cebu City, tel.no. 234-1520/232-1727 or at Cebu Velez General Hospital. F. Ramos St., Cebu City, tel.no. 255-2821 or 253-1871
3. Chong Hua Hospital Eye Institute - Don Mariano Cui St., Fuente Osmena, tel. nos. 255-8000 local 58000
4. Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Laser and Eye Bank (no specific website) B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City, 253-9891 to 99

Remember, more than the equipment, the most important factors that may determine the outcome of your planned surgery are 1) your suitability as a candidate, and 2) your surgeon's skill and experience.